The Right to Self-Defense in Washington

Minh Hong stabbed to death Chris Kinison, a young white man, on July 4 in Ocean Resort, Washington. Minh is charged with first degree manslaughter.

Racism and Police Failure

The only problem was that Chris Kinison was a white racist, who spent the better part of the weekend as part of a group beating up on minorities visiting the resort town. The day before, they had chased two Filipino families out of town. They punched in their windows and challenged them to fight. They had also chased a Black man down the beach with a knife.

So it was no coincidence that when Minh, a Vietnamese immigrant, and Chris met in a gas station, the latter was part of a group. He was shouting "gooks go home," "white power" and waving a Confederate flag. Chris was also punching the face of MinhÕs brother Hung. Minh retrieved two kitchen knives from the gas station and killed Chris.

Asian American organizations have pointed out the failure of police to arrest the white racists earlier and the fact that Chris was six feet tall while Minh is six inches shorter.

Choosing Self-Defense

Asian Americans have the same right to self-defense for life and liberty as any other Americans. White racism has grown & and Asian Americans like Joseph Ileto in Los Angeles and others have died as its victims å as demographic change has spread through the US. If the police tend to overlook white racism, Asian Americans can only defend life and limb or continue to die.

On the other hand, David Jensen of the National Organization for European-American Rights asks "Is it now acceptable for minorities to kill European-Americans for calling them names?" Well, if theyÕre doing it with their fists, Dave, we hope that the answer is yes.